Assembly OKs larger tax credit for low incomes

Low-income workers could get a larger tax credit under legislation the Assembly approved Thursday.

The bill would increase the Earned Income Tax Credit to 25 percent of the federal benefit from 20 percent — restoring a cut that Governor Christie made in 2010.

Low-income workers who earn up to $45,060 currently can qualify to receive a federal credit ranging from $475 to $5,891, and a state credit ranging from $95 to $1,178, depending on their marital status and how many children they have, according to the state Department of Human Services.

Bill advocates say it would add up to $300 to the annual state credit for qualifying workers.

Christie offered to restore the cut when he conditionally vetoed a minimum wage hike last month. He suggested the higher tax credit along with a more gradual increase in the minimum wage than Democrats have supported. Rather than take him up on the offer, Democrats in the Legislature wrote a separate bill increasing the tax credit and keeping it separate from minimum-wage legislation.

The bill passed 47-24, with five abstentions. The Senate approved it last week. It now goes to Christie.

Subpoena power

The Assembly also extended a committee's subpoena power over the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Transportation Committee has been trying to investigate employee salaries, toll hikes and other issues at the bi-state authority.

The committee received the subpoena power last year. That power was set to expire in March, but lawmakers said the agency had yet to answer all of its questions.

In a 45-29 vote, the Assembly extended the committee's subpoena power through January, when the current legislative session ends.

Tanning beds

Another bill that made it through the Assembly would prohibit people under age 17 from using tanning beds. The legislation, which passed 57-12 with seven abstentions, gained steam last year in the wake of headlines about the "tanning mom" — Patricia Krentcil, a heavily tanned Nutley woman whose 5-year-old daughter suffered burns in a tanning booth.

The bill, which now heads to Christie's desk, would also prohibit people under 14 from using spray tanning in a tanning facility.